Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,307

puppy dog even though we didn't have presents to open or shit like that.

Santa tended to forget foster kids who no one wanted. We'd always managed to get something for each other though - Darcy usually spent weeks hand making me a gift and because I sucked at stuff like that, I just stole shit she needed like good socks or new underwear. One time when we were fifteen, I'd stolen her this beautiful navy coat right off of a mannequin in a store window. It was lined and soft and seriously warm which was exactly what she'd needed for the long walk to school in the winter. But she only got to wear it once because our foster mother at the time saw it on her and flipped the fuck out, accusing us of thieving and threatening to call the police and social services on us. She didn't though. She just started wearing the coat herself and let Darcy walk to school shivering every day. Fucking bitch.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice Darius walking up behind me until he leaned down to speak in my ear, his stubble grazing my jaw and making me crave so much more from him than just that.

"Such a beautiful girl shouldn't be sitting on her own at Christmas," Darius murmured and I turned to look at him as he pulled up a chair beside me and placed two glasses of champagne on the table.

"Trying to get me drunk?" I teased, keeping my expression neutral in case anyone was looking our way.

"Never," he disagreed, tipping back his own glass and leaning back in his chair as he surveyed me and casually flicked a silencing bubble up to surround us. "I hate seeing you all alone at things like this."

"It's a travesty that I'm not dancing on a table while trying not to puke," I agreed, keeping my face as neutral as I could manage in case anyone was paying us any attention. "You owe me a proper night out after this is all over."

"‘This’ being my father's reign of terror and you having to constantly pretend to be his little pet?" he asked with a note of bitterness to his tone.

"That's the one," I agreed. "Shouldn't be long now."

Darius snorted a humourless laugh and I almost smiled.

"What are the chances of me stealing you away for an hour tomorrow?" he asked.

"You want to sneak off to some field in the middle of nowhere and see if we can battle the stars for a hook up again?" I teased.

"Well, I was going to suggest Darcy sneaks into Orion's summerhouse and the four of us have a mini Christmas celebration, but your offer does have a certain appeal."

I bit my lip as a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth and Darius gave me a look that said he'd fucking destroy me given half a chance. And if it was my choice I'd happily give him that chance. But the stars were a pain in my ass like always and I was going to be spending the night in his father's bed instead. Gross.

The double doors on the far side of the room banged open dramatically and Lionel strode in with Clara and Vard either side of him, a smirk playing around his lips that said wherever he'd been he'd been up to no good. Stella scuttled in a step behind them, trying not to look like a butt hurt bitch over it, but I’d spent enough time around her to see through that shit. She hated that he’d traded her in for her daughter. And I mean, she had a point – it was pretty mortifying and totally puke worthy. But she was hungering for that place on his arm and even while she tried not to let it show, I could see through her bullshit.

"I hope you've all had a wonderful evening," Lionel called, opening his arms to encompass everyone in the room with that statement. "But it's getting late and I'm sure you all want to get back to your homes for Christmas tomorrow."

The music was cut off abruptly, and I exchanged a look with Darius before I could stop myself, wondering what had prompted this sudden end to the evening. I mean, sure it was late and all, but Lionel had been missing for a good hour or more and it seemed strange to reappear just to tell everyone to fuck off.

The guests hurried to